TASTING NOTES
Deep garnet colour with bright crimson hues hints at the intense aromas and flavours that follow. The aroma bursts with black berry and raspberry fruits, neatly meshed with toasty oak characters from fine, well-seasoned French oak barriques. A restricted crop gave small, intensely flavoured berries, allowing for an extended period of skin contact post-ferment. This provides the palate with plenty of flavour but also a fine coating of fruit tannin. Combined with the fresh acidity of a relatively cool vintage, the wine shows a structure and depth that will reward careful cellaring.
IN THE VINEYARD
Location: North West Slopes of the Helderberg
Altitude: 110m
Distance from the sea: 10 km
Soil type: Hutton (decomposed granite)
Rootstock: Richter 99
Age of vines: 3 years
Trellising: Vertically shoot positioned
Pruning: 2 node spurs
THE HARVEST
The grapes were harvested in March 2001.
IN THE CELLAR
Closed tank fermentation with regular oxidative pump-overs. 3 week maceration on skins Malolactic fermentation in oak. Regular racking. Light filtration. 14 months barrel maturation (all French oak (Nevers, Alliers and Troncais. Medium and medium plus toast), 40% new). The wine was bottled on the 1st July 2002.
AGEING POTENTIAL
Up to 5 years.
BLEND INFORMATION
100% Merlot
ACCOLADES
Michelangelo International Wine Award 2002 - Silver
Fairbairn Trophy Bronze 2003
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